Improvement in folding baskets



' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. J. PILSINGER.

v FOLDINMASKETS. No. 190,360.v Patented May 1; 1877.

NJETERS. PHOTO-UTMOGRAPMER WASHINGTON. D c-.

To all lwhom it may concern:

UNITED STATES JOHN arnsnvenn, or BRookLY'NEwiYoei-r.

.iMPRovEMEN-rfin FoLnlNG BASKETS'.

Specificationforming part of Letters Patent N o. 19.0.7360, dated May 1,1877; application tiled kMaren 19, 1871. L

Be irknown that I, JOHN J. PESINGE, 0f the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings,

in the State of NewYork, have invented "a new and useful Improvement in Baskets, ofy which the following is a specification: 1 v. This invention relates to' market-baskets,77

and thelike, and in part to Ybaskets and crates:

generally. A v .v I

The. inventionconsists, first, in a compressi- -Able basket-body or crate, adapted to becompactedrinto a symmetrical Vflat bundle,and

'When-in use to present the required unob-` structed open top, the same being held-'iin shape for use by the insertion of a removable bottom, andprovided withia iexible covering or jacket to mask. the folding frame, and to render the body tight and neat; secondly, in a` detachable handle, inr vcombination 'with a pair of metallic yokes and a pair of 'flexible straps furnished with suitable buckles, the Whole providing for carrying a compressible basket-body with ease-and safety,"while thestraps serve also to securev the same after it is compacted; and, thirdly, ina supplemental handle, in combination with said straps forv carrying the compacted basket with the main handle detached, as hereinafter more-fully' set forth.

Figure l is a perspective view of a compressible market-basket illustrating this invention. Fig. 2 is a central transverse sec tion of the same, on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3'3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side view of the same basket compacted. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on the line 5 5, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 6 6, Fig. 4.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

The frame F of this improved basket is oblong and rectangular, or nearly rectangular, when open, as shown in Figs. 1, 2v, and 3, and .has hinge-joints at its four vertical corners and midway between the corners in each end, so as to adapt its ends to fold inward, as indicated by arrows l 1, Fig. 3, and its sides to move simultaneously toward each other, as indicated by arrows 2, Fig. 3. The basket is thus adapted to be compacted into a dat bundle, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, no longer lthan the length of either side, and no wider than the body ofthe-basket is high. The frame Fis composed of asufticient numbeixof v parallel horizontal slats,s s2,"with.six verti- 1 cal pintle-rodsJi r2, forming sides and ends,

andy ajremovablebottom, b, which maybea simple board, as shown, with orv without cleats 0,or composed Aof slats like the'sides,

as preferred.- The slats ofl thev sides and ot' i -the respective halves-.of each endalternate,

as shown in'xFigsaZ `and. 6, andthe rodsr r2 unite them, so as ,tol form thesad hinge-joints in the most simple and strong wayknownt'o me. Each rod extendsfrom top to' bottom,

-andis headed, or `otherwise permanently" se- `cured,at each end. The ends of the slats are perforated to receive the rods, and are s o shaped as to work freely. The slatsare intended to be made of wood, but any preferred material .may be employed,and the shape or proportions. modified `to vcorresfu')nd. Y Two lengths otfslatarerequired in eachframe for lthe sideslatsr and the-end slats s2, but lall are of one and the samev size and, shape y.in

.cross-section except a pair of wider side slats, xsl, which are added at the bottom to form supis adapted to cover the sides and ends of the open frame, and to form a top tlap,f, by which the mouth of the basket can be closed. The flap has at each end a downwardly-projecting rim to keep it close. Loops and buttons may be added or substituted, if preferred. The ends e e of the cover are not attached to the ends of the frame, but are adapted to be drawn outward, as indicated by arrows 3 3, Fig. 3, when the ends are folded inward, and they are then drawn around the ends of the sides, and the whole is covered or nearly covered by the iiapf. The bottom b of the frame is covered with the same material, so as to render it uniform with the rest of the compacted basket. Its ends are also made convex in the on a pair of metallic yokes, Y Y, the ends ofv which are secured in loops at the upper extremities of the parts S S2 of two straps, which pass under the bottom of the basket, and are securely attached to the sides of the frame by means of loops Z, through which they pass. The handle H Vmay be of leather, ropeor any other suitable material. The snap-hooks h and yokes Y may be of iron or brass, and the straps S S2 and loops Z of leather. The parts oi' the straps are each furnished withva buckle land keeper, and 'the main parts S are made of Ysufficient length toA adapt them to wrap around thc compacted bundle, as indicated in Figs. 4:, 5, and 6, so as to secure thev same without othermeans. The detached handle is accommodated within the bundle, as shown in Fig. 6.

A supplemental handle, H2, having a loop 'at each end, is threadedvon the straps S, so

as to remain attachedat the frontv of the open basket, as shown in Fig. l, without beingin the way, and this serves, in vconnection with the straps, as means for carrying the compacted basket, as indicated in Fig. 4.

The basket can be opened or compacted in a fewV moments, and in the latter shape ca'n be carriedy inthe hand, under the arm, or`

elsewhere, with the utmost convenience, and yWith'great economy of space.

When open, all the parts are in use or permanently attached, and when compacted the only detached parts are the bottom and main handle,A which are securely inclosed, and are too large to be lost. Four buckles are the only loose fastenings, and there are no parts which cannot readily be made of sufficient strength, and at the same time as light as may be required.

In the construction of a cheaper basket,

having the described frame F with inwardlyfolding ends, with or without the covering G, a pair of vertical rods or bolts, having eyes at their upper ends, and extending downward through all or any sucient number of the slats s of each side, may serve in lieu of the yokes Y for attaching a handle, H, independently of the straps S S2, which in this case may be reduced to one strap, or replaced by a simple string, thesupplemental handle H2 to be omitted. This substitute handle attachment is simply described for optional use as aforesaid, and is not claimed as a partof the present invention.

The following is what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, namelyv y p l. A compressible basket-body or crate,'consisting of aframe having Ainwardly-folding ends and a removable bottom, with a flexible jacket or covering for the frame, substantially as herein shown and described.

. 2. A detachable handle for a compress'ibl'e basket, in combination withapair of yokes to which the handle is'attached in central position, and a pair of straps extending from the yokes beneath the bottom of the basket, said straps being adapted `to serve as means for securing the compacted basket after the handle is detached.

3. A supplemental handle for a compressible basket, in combination withv a pair of straps, each consisting of two partsfand each part provided with a buck-le, said straps being threaded through loops at the endsof the said -supplemeutal handle, and adapted to serveras means forsecurin g the compacted basket, and attaching the supplemental .handle theretoin convenient position, and also toy serve in conl-v bination with a detachable main handle when the basket is opened or expanded.l i

Witnesses: l

E. SDJNEY LUNT, JAs. L. EwiN.

'JOHN J. PESINGER. 

